George H. Rolt

George H. Rolt, born April 12, 1932, passed away on October 29, 2023, at the age of 91. Born in South Boston, he was the son of the late Mary and George Rolt. He lived in South Boston and attended the Perry Elementary School and Boston Latin School, graduating in 1948 at the age of 16 – it was always one of his proudest achievements. Growing up in South Boston, George worked in his father’s boat building shop near the South Boston Yacht Club. They built sailboats (Indians and Hustlers), and together, raced 30 square meter Swedish sailboats in Marblehead for many years. He attended Northeastern University, graduating with a BSEE in 1953 as a member of both Tau Beta Phi and Eta Kappa Nu honor societies. During his time at Northeastern, he worked cooperative jobs at Dolber Engineering and Boston Edison. The day following graduation, he boarded a plane to Los Angeles to work for Hughes Aircraft Company while attending UCLA Graduate School. He worked there for 2 years, meeting Mr. Hughes one evening while working late, causing a ruckus in management. His badge allowed him to self-tour the giant Spruce Goose Aircraft, including a walk into the wing. He returned to Boston in 1955 to a civilian job for the USAF, working on the SAGE program, and attending Northeastern to continue his graduate work. One assignment at this time, was atop Great Blue Hill in Milton at a tower, equipped with a radar, tracking B-25 Mitchell Bomber Aircraft flying out of Otis. He had fun riding a half-track surplus army vehicle up and down Blue Hills.

In 1951, he finished his MSEE at Northeastern, and married E.J. “Andy” Anderson, and got a job offer from MIT Lincoln Lab, Mitre Corp, and RAND Corp. They chose the warmer climate and beaches in California and RAND Corp. They returned to Stoughton and George worked for Raytheon for over 35 years returning to Northeastern for the third time to earn an MBA in 1961. Most noteworthy was his work at Raytheon, writing government proposals for the Apollo Program, culminating in meeting Neil Armstrong in 1970. This was a staggering counterpoint given, that his father had never been on a plane, nor seen one until the 1910’s, and that George helped put a man on the moon in 1969. George and Andy raised their children in Stoughton. He married Judith C. Brandt in 1984, living in Foxboro, Sharon, Middleboro and most recently Brockton for the past 2 years. He was an active communicant from time to time, at Trinity Episcopal Church in Stoughton. Andy was an organist at times at the church, and George’s interest in choral music was enhanced. His love of classical music began while attending Northeastern, and being able to attend live open rehearsals at Boston Symphony Orchestra, as he often said “down the street”. He had many wonderful years with Judy – years of music, family, sailing and traveling with friends. His grandchildren span the globe, from Japan, Seattle, Los Angeles, Maine and Massachusetts. His lectures to his children and grandchildren (his main teaching tool), are deeply embedded and are humorous memories now whether they like it or not. He will be greatly missed.

In addition to his wife Judith, George is survived by his children Robin Rolt of Indiana, Kenneth Rolt and his wife Christine Coughlin of Westford, and Jonathan Rolt, and his wife Karen of Easton, and was predeceased by his son Christopher Rolt. He also leaves behind his grandchildren Caley, Camden, Cabot, Matt, Maggie, and Jayne, and was the brother to the late Barbara McCarthy Hatch Byrne.

A Funeral Service will be held at the Trinity Episcopal Church, 414 Sumner Street, Stoughton, on Thursday November 9^th at 10:30 AM, with visitation prior at the church, from 10-10:30 AM. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Stoughton. In lieu of flowers, donations in George’s name may be made to Trinity Episcopal Church Music Fund, 414 Sumner Street, Stoughton, MA 02072 or Old Colony Hospice 321 Manley Street, West Bridgewater, MA 02379.